Feb. 28 - St. Marks Lutheran Church

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Minutes of the Council Meeting
February 28, 2011
Present: Kurt Beenen, Chris Lindell, Dave Brauhn, Von Cary, Jeff McGuire, Emily Wellnitz, Jan
Rushford, Pastor Perry Fruhling, Ron Harriman
Visitors: Donna Lunstrum, John Mosinsky, Jane Lindell, Stephan Peck, Betty Lindholm, Bruce
Lindholm, Steve Larson, Roger Kolb, Eric Knoll, Judy Seiwald, Mitzi Wamboldt, Tammy Whitlow, Jody
Skogen, Dan Skogen, Kim Drischell, Daryl Julich, Sher Jasperse, Louanne Neville, Frank Bowers,
Rosemary Bowers, Ken Paulsen, Steve Rushford, Pastor Jonathan Swenson
The council meeting was held at St. Marks.
President Kurt Beenen opened the meeting at 4:00
Council member Jan Rushford presented a devotion about getting back to Jesus as the focus. She led us
in prayer.
President Kurt Beenen sent out the January 9th congregational meeting minutes, the January 17th church
council meeting minutes, the January 30th special congregational meeting minutes, and the January 30th
special congregational meeting minutes and all stood as approved.
Council member Jeff McGuire and staff member Jane Lindell provided the financial statement. There is a
decrease in attendance and giving around 10%.
Perry briefly went over his pastors report. We were given a copy of Jonathan's pastors report.
Tom Brennom gave a building report. The building is on schedule and is going very well. Of the
$100,000 put aside for changes, $65,000 has been used. The building will be done in the middle of
August. A next step is to decide how to incorporate it. After Easter, the North entrance will be affected
while the stairs to the current auditorium are added.
Annual meeting follow-up discussion was held.
There seem to be 3 groups of thinking on what to do next.
-stay in ELCA and do nothing
-be the church we've always been, we've had enough debate, give us time before anything new is
voted on
-leave the ELCA – do something now. It'll be harder to leave in the future
There are varied views on the council that reflect the above groups.
Everyone agreed that the personal attacks hijack the meetings and should not be allowed if possible.
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The question of allowing individuals to have a petition available at church was talked about. It was
decided that no table would be allowed to be set up.
Pastor Perry passed out the Lighthouse Covenant. We looked up the website and watched a video of the
founder. Council took a vote on whether to adopt the Lighthouse Covenant as a council. It did not pass.
Council is open to voting again at the next meeting after everyone has a chance to look into it further.
Pastor Perry and Council President Kurt Beenen are going to write a letter to the congregation informing
them that we are considering taking this step of joining the Lighthouse Covenant.
The council discussed 2011 priorities. We discussed the following ideas and will narrow them down at
the next council meeting.
-Implementation of Discipleship plan – congregation responds and takes a class
-Move into Building
-Resource development (Stewardship)
-Refocus on the mission of St. Marks/a time of healing
-Focus on a mission/service toward our community or world
-By next year have the denominational issues resolved
-Children and youth ministry expansion
-Move small group ministry forward – grow small groups and leaders
Council gave ample time for congregational feedback.
Council had a short closed session.
Council President Kurt Beenen thanked the new officers for serving.
It was decided that our next meeting would be held on April 4, 2011 at 4:00pm at St. Marks.
The meeting closed at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Wellnitz
Secretary
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